Archive: ‘Events’...

The summer festival season in Rochester continues this weekend with the 43rd edition of the Park Ave Summer Art Fest on Saturday, Aug 3 from 10a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Aug 4. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This annual celebration of arts and culture stretches for a mile and a quarter along Park Avenue from Alexander Street to Culver Road. Every year, this part of the picturesque Park Avenue neighborhood transforms into a mecca of shopping and entertainment. Better yet, admission is completely free.

Over 350 artists, exhibitors, and craftspeople from the U.S. and Canada set up between the curb and sidewalk. With more than 40 festival food favorites adding to the already culinary-rich landscape of Park Avenue, you can easily indulge in the $7.99 billion U.S. food and drink industry. As festival-goers flood Park Avenue to visit each booth, eat as much food as possible, and go to the stages that have a rotating schedule of musicians, the street closes to vehicular traffic.

To avoid any confusion when you arrive at the festival, let’s run through the arts and entertainment that you can’t miss and take a look at how they’re handling parking and safety.

Arts

The focal point of Park Ave Fest is its mass celebration of the creative spirits local to the Rochester area. This year is no different. Whether you’re looking for one-of-a-kind pieces to give to your loved ones at the holidays or to decorate your own home, you won’t lack for choice at Park Ave Fest. There will be booths selling:

Sculptures

Pieces crafted from wood

Paintings

Ceramics

Body care products

Drawings

Fiber accessories, apparel, and crafts

Jewelry

Glasswork

Photography

And much more!

The best part of shopping at Park Ave Fest is that you’re able to interact with the artisan you’re supporting. Many of the booths are run by women-owned businesses and while they may not be among the percentage of female CEOs in Fortune 500 companies who made history by topping 5% for the first time in 2017, these hard-working women deserve your support. By buying from them, and all of the other deserving artisans, you’ll be helping real families.

Music and Entertainment

To break up your day of perusing, the organizers of Park Ave Fest have crafted a lineup of musicians to fill every hour of the two-day festival. There will be three stages along the length of Park Avenue and the first bands go on at 10:15 in the morning. At the east end of the festival, there will be the Alexander Stage on the corner of Alexander Street and Park. In the center of the festivities is the Oxford Stage on the corner of Park and Oxford Street. The third stage will be the Somerton Stage at the west end of Park Avenue between Somerton Street and Culver Road.

As a festival built for families, there will be a Kids Park designed to entertain the little ones. This shady tree-lined park will be on the Park Avenue side of the Rochester Museum & Science Center.

Kids can enjoy a wide variety of activities including bounce houses, Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventure, a Euro Bungee attraction, and a rock-climbing wall. While 45% of Americans have trouble falling asleep, your kids will have no problem drifting off the dreamland after a day filled with these fun activities. To further ensure you tire out the tykes, there will be additional bounce houses, obstacle courses, and other interactive inflatables for young festival-goers in the 7-Eleven parking lot near the corner of Park Avenue and Berkley Street.

Parking and Street Closures

To get to the festivities, you’ll need to know a bit about where you can park and what roads will not be accessible. Road closures during big events like this are essential in preventing car accidents, which injure 3 million people every year in the United States. Luckily, the only road closure will be where the festival is setting up. Between Alexander Street and Culver Road, Park Avenue will be closed from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Aug 3 and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Aug 4.

Parking will be available on one side of the side streets in the Park Avenue neighborhood. As these spots will be in high demand, the Greek Orthodox Church of Annunciation located at 962 East Ave is offering off-street parking for $5 per car.

Free parking will be available behind Gleason Works on University Avenue and at Monroe Square on Monroe Avenue. To transport you from these free lots to the festival, there will be roundtrip shuttle service for $3 that runs throughout the day. The shuttle is accessible for wheelchairs and there will also be a limited number of handicap parking spots available at Parkleigh, located on the corner of Park Avenue and Goodman Street.

For general information on the festival when you’re there, you can go to the Festival Office just west of Oxford Street.

There will also be first-aid service available next to the 7-Eleven parking lot. If you feel ill during the festival, don’t hesitate to visit the first-aid tent or go to an urgent care center nearby, which can often provide expert medical treatment with wait times of 30 minutes or less. Anyone who sees suspicious activity during the festival or becomes separated from their child should seek the help of Rochester Police Officers, who will be on patrol throughout the festival, or Festival Block Captains who will be wearing light blue polo shirts and bright yellow messenger bags.

With a sunny weather forecast, it’s sure to be the perfect weekend for Park Ave Fest. Step out of your homes and give your HVAC systems a break from keeping you cool by stopping by the festival this Saturday or Sunday. You’ll eat delicious food, hear wonderful music, discover new artists, and make memories that will last for years to come.

There’s a lot to look forward to this weekend in Upstate New York; between the Rochester Pride Parade and the Ithaca Grassroots festival, we’re planning on spending a lot of time outside. Unfortunately, the heat might try to ruin your summer fun as temperatures soar into the 100s.

The heat and humidity are expected to be so bad that Rochester City Mayor Lovely Warren has officially announced a heat emergency for Friday and Saturday, making it the third excessive heat warning ever issued for the region.

According to weather reports, the heat index is supposed to reach a high of 108 degrees Fahrenheit in some locations. The last time we experienced such temperature highs was back in 1936.

In light of the new warning, the city’s emergency plan is preparing public buildings to provide relief from the heat. The Democrat and Chronicle notes that some pool hours will be extended, libraries will serve as cooling centers, and hydrants will be opened to beat the heat.

While we can expect a few spotty showers throughout the region, these cooling events won’t be enough to offer relief from sweltering temperatures.

Local area doctors note that the heat can be particularly damaging for older people and those with compromised immune systems.

“For people who are elderly or have underlying medical problems… the consequences can be more severe. The heat can cause their medical conditions to be exacerbated or for them to become more ill in a very rapid manner,” explains Dr. Mike Kamali who serves as the chair of the URMC Department of Emergency Medicine.

Kamali recommends that people stay in air-conditioned locations as much as possible this weekend, especially if you’re out and about. It might also be worth investing in a new HVAC system for your home; the average house has nearly doubled in size since the 1950s, making it more difficult to keep cool. However, energy-efficient models have aided in keeping cool air in and hot air out.

While these increasingly high temperatures might not be enough to make you one of the 45 million people who move each year, it’s certainly enough to make you stay in your Rochester home. But if you’re planning on camping, attending Rochester Pride, or visiting Grassroots, you can follow these helpful to stay cool.

Drink plenty of water

This point might seem obvious, but its importance bears repeating: without enough water, you might find yourself suffering from heatstroke or worse. It’s recommended that you drink at least two liters of water each day, but you’ll need to drink even more in extreme heat to replenish the water that your body loses through sweat.

“When you start to feel hot, you start to sweat,” continues Kamali. “Your body is trying to get rid of excess heat and usually, you can do that as long as you’re staying hydrated and making attempts to cool yourself off.”

Bring a water bottle with you wherever you go and try to heat hydrating, healthy foods throughout the day. These include grapes, watermelon, and other fruits with high water content. It’s recommended that you already eat five servings of vegetables each day, so try to avoid particularly salty or heavy foods when you’re spending time outside. Keep in mind that if you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.

Stay out of the sun

Find shade whenever possible, whether that means idling under a tree or wearing an oversized hat. This will help keep you cooler and prevent the possibility of sunburn.

Dress in loose-fitting clothing

While you might not be able to access air conditioning in the middle of the Pride parade, it’s vital that you do whatever you can to stay cool. One way to do that is by wearing, light, loose-fitting clothing. Light colors will help reflect the heat from your body while the loose fit will help wind cool your skin. You can also try wetting your clothing to stay cooler since the damp patches will catch the wind and further cool you down.

Know the signs of heatstroke

The young and elderly are at particularly high risk for heatstroke and heat exhaustion. Here are the symptoms you should watch out for when you’re worried a loved one is suffering from the heat:

Confusion

Slurred speech

Nausea and dizziness

Very hot, dry skin or profuse sweating

Seizures

Loss of consciousness

Go swimming

If you’re spending too much time in the sun, try to get to a pool or other body of water after your festival. Pools with glass finishes maintain their integrity indefinitely, making this a great option for apartment buildings, public watering holes, or your local gym. If you’re by the lake, don’t hesitate to take a dip. Just be sure to layer on the sunscreen to prevent sunburn.

Stay safe

Remember that the Pride Parade starts at 1 PM on Saturday, right when the sun is at its peak. If you have to venture outdoors this weekend, try following these tips to stay safe. Rochester may be under a heat warning, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your summer fun.

June is unofficially recognized in the United States as LGBT Pride Month, even if Rochester typically waits until July for Pride Week. This year, however, is sure to have a Pride Month to remember, as 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising that led to increased recognition and rights for LGBT people across the nation. However you plan to get involved this year, use these tips to make sure you’re celebrating Pride Month respectfully and supporting the LGBT community appropriately.

Make Mindful Merchandise Choices

Many companies and organizations have started to pick up on Pride Month as a commercially viable opportunity, meaning you’re likely to start seeing rainbow products on shelves everywhere. However, not everything with a rainbow on it means your money is supporting the LGBT community. The U.S. apparel market is expected to grow to an estimated value of $385 billion by 2025, and any apparel company with a good marketing team is going to start putting rainbows on their clothing if they notice it sells better around Pride Month. Whenever possible, try to support your local, smaller, LGBT-owned stores; you’ll be helping individual creators directly this way.

Give What You Can

While some progress has been made since the Stonewall uprising fifty years ago, many LGBT people still face discrimination and struggle on a regular basis. Pride Month is an excellent opportunity to support non-profit organizations that help improve life for the LGBT community and provide much-needed resources. You might even find yourself wanting to give more often; 55% of those who engage with nonprofits via social media have been inspired to take further action.

Not all organizations will require the same sorts of donations or support. Check with local organizations like the Out Alliance to see what donations are needed. Some will prefer physical items like food or clothing, while others collect money to help support LGBT families directly. Surrogacy for gay men typically costs anywhere between $100,000 and $200,000, and many look for financial support from local non-profits that you can help support with your donations.

Avoid Gatekeeping

If you plan on attending one of the many Pride Month events taking place over the next few weeks, either as part of the community or as an ally, remember that not everyone in the LGBT community is able to be open about that part of their life. What might look initially like a straight couple might not be, or they may be there to support a loved one. Pride events are intended to be supportive for all members of the community regardless of whether they can safely be out or not; make sure you’re doing what you can to make sure everyone feels welcome.

Many people see Pride Month as an opportunity to have fun, celebrate, and attend events decked out in rainbows. However, Pride Month exists for a reason, and on the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, it’s important to remember why people are celebrating. Enjoy Pride Month responsibly, and be sure to support your local organizations and businesses while celebrating.

Even though most people know Rochester for Kodak or its signature garbage plate, more people have started to take note of Rochester’s thriving arts scene. From new featured art at the Memorial Art Gallery to the local artists showcasing their skills at its countless festivals each year, folks from across the state have indulged in the local art for which Rochester is known.

Now that the Lilac Festival has wrapped up for the season, it’s time to set our sights on the next upcoming Rochester-based event: the Corn Hill Arts Festival.

This annual event will be entering its 51st year as a Rochester staple event. Taking place in the Corn Hill district, hundreds of craft exhibitors and food vendors will peddle the best art and grub that Rochester has to offer.

This year, more than 325 artists are expected to line up and down nine streets to present and sell their best work starting on July 13.

But if you’re an up-and-comer, don’t worry: the festival will also feature its 11th annual display of the Emerging Artists Expo. This exposition is designed to celebrate emerging talent in young artists aged 15 through 25. The event will be taking applications until May 31, so be sure to submit your work before the deadline in only a few days.

The Emerging Artists Expo is a great opportunity for rising artists to showcase their work and begin interacting with the local community. Those who are accepted to present at the event will be given a 10 ft by 10 ft booth on Eagle street, giving them ample space to feature art and compete for a cash prize at the end of the festival.

“The Corn Hill Arts Festival is a perfect opportunity for young, emerging artists throughout Rochester to showcase their talents and highlight their impact on the community,” notes Denise Cook, the CEO and director for MVP Health Care.

If you’re one of the many artists attending the event, whether new or old, here are some of the top tips you can use to prepare your exhibit for the festival.

Consider the size of your booth

Artists will be given a booth that measures around 100 square feet. This will include any tables, staging, or other displays you want to incorporate in this space. The size is akin to those that you would see in trade shows. But while there are more than 252 convention centers for trade shows across the country, there’s only one Corn Hill Arts Festival. To make an impact with this crowd, you’ll need to use your space dynamically.

Your first step should be buying a tent to shield your guests and art from the sun and rain. This will protect your art from the glare of the hot sun and the sporadic rain that Rochester handles on a daily basis. While you might think your tent detracts from your booth’s aesthetic, this is a valuable tool for many artists. Try pinning your artwork on the walls of your tent and hanging dangling pieces, like wind chimes or jewelry, from its connecting rods. This will create an interactive space for your customers.

Create emphasis on certain pieces

While most artists typically showcase their art on a few tables, you can bring as many tools and displays as you want for your tent. This includes stacking boxes, drawers, shelves, and more. Though you shouldn’t make your tent look too cluttered, you can utilize these unique components to feature more of your artwork than you ever thought possible.

You can add points of emphasis in your booth by displaying art at multiple levels to highlight statement art pieces and organize like-groups. Many artists will organize their space through a number of different categories, including:

Color

Style

Medium

Collection

Price

Other artists may even include cultural sections that highlight their personal backgrounds. This offers a unique opportunity for the artist to make connections with buyers. For example, artists showcasing traditional Mexican art may feature a collection of unique pieces for a higher price. It’s estimated that Mexican-Americans make up the largest population of immigrants in the United States at 26%.

Use lighting

Even though the Corn Hill Arts Festival starts in sunny July, you might still need great lighting for your tent on dreary days. Try accenting your tent with stylish string lights or bright LED lights so your guests can still view your work regardless of the weather outside. These eco-friendly options shine brighter than incandescent lights and are a top choice for businesses looking to utilize signage and more. It’s no wonder LEDs are estimated to receive 53% of the global market for lighting. Even if attendance is low because of the rain, you can be sure that any attendee will be able to check out your art.

Add an interactive component

There will be countless vendors showcasing similar products at the festival. When you want your booth to stand out, you need to utilize any tactic you have at your disposal. One of the most simple ways to encourage people to visit your booth is by adding an interactive component.

This can be as simple or as big as you want. Many tradeshow exhibitors and vendors find that fishbowl lotteries are an easy way to pull a crowd. Those who are acquainted with the Corn Hill Arts Festival might even include a scavenger hunt associated with the event or other forms of group entertainment. The sky is the limit when it comes to showcasing your booth’s creativity!

Use printing

Even if your booth showcases the most beautiful, unique pieces of art, you may not make sales if your customers don’t know your name. When you’re setting up your booth, it’s vital that you invest in great signage to display your name or the name of your company. In fact, it’s estimated that half of all customers who patron a business — or in this case, your exhibit — entered because of its signage.

You should also be sure to include business cards for your customers. Even if someone doesn’t buy a piece of art today, that doesn’t mean they aren’t interested. Offer quality business cards with your contact information, including your social media handles. This will ensure anyone who comes to your booth will be able to find you later. They may even recommend you to their friends, potentially doubling your reach.

With only a month and some change to spare, it’s time to start planning. These are just some of the ways you can stand out at this year’s Corn Hill Arts Festival.

Warmer weather is finally starting to make an appearance in the city of Rochester and that can only mean one thing. Festival season is upon us.

To kick off a season filled with fun festivals for adults and kids alike, we have the 121st Rochester Lilac Festival. This iconically Rochester festival welcomes spring like no other event in the city with its array of fragrant blooms, lineup of performers, and gathering of food vendors. This year, the festival begins today, May 10, and runs through May 19. The festival grounds in Highland Park will be open from 10:30 in the morning until 8:30 at night every day in that period.

Now that we have the mundane details out of the way, let’s talk about the fun stuff. Read on to find out which events you have to go to and the tasty treats you can’t miss.

Fantastic Flowers

One of the biggest draws for the Lilac Festival is right in the name: the lilacs. With about 1,200 plants featuring over 500 varieties of lilacs, anyone coming for the beautiful bushes won’t be disappointed. According to Mark Quinn, superintendent of horticulture for Monroe County Parks, the lilac shrubs are doing wonderfully and the warming temperatures are helping them bloom on time.

There will be plenty of other floral features in Highland Park’s 150 acres of gardens as well. The park’s entrance at South Avenue and Reservoir Drive is home to an annual bloom of tulips, giving visitors a rainbow of colorful flora. You’ll also see plenty of blossoming magnolia trees, azaleas, and pansies while you walk through the park. Whether you’re a member of older generations that dominate gardening participation at 35% or of the younger generations that are showing an increasing interest in the green-thumbed hobby, you’re sure to love these blooms.

Exciting Entertainment

A festival wouldn’t be a festival without entertainment that gets you moving and grooving. This year’s Lilac Festival has 70 acts throughout the 10-day run that perform from early in the day until after the sun goes down. The performers are a mix of local and touring musicians, including Yonder Mountain String Band, Nobody’s Marigold, Soul Passenger, and many more. To learn about these artists and the other talented performers participating this year, contribute to Google’s 63,000 searches per second and look up the festival’s lineup for a full schedule.

For those looking for some adult-specific fun, the Special Events Tent will be hosting a couple of alcohol-themed events throughout the festival. There are more than 7,700 wineries across the country, but a select 36 of those local to the Upstate area will make an appearance in the tent on Saturday, May 11 at the Wine Tasting Expo. On the following Saturday, May 18, the tent will house a Craft Beer Expo to showcase the area’s beloved brewmasters.

Don’t worry, the kids won’t be left out of the festival fun. The annual Lilac Parade will be held on Saturday, May 11 and feature over 2,500 participants that range from dancers and costumed characters to marching bands and community organizations. On May 13 and 14, the beloved children’s character Arthur will make an appearance to read books and take photos with the little ones.

Tasty Treats

With over 40 food and drink vendors, you would probably need all 10 days to eat your way through the festival. One of the surest places to start your festival food tour is with a famous garbage plate from Nick Tahou’s. The Bacon Dog stand will be offering an equally indulgent Peanut Butter and Spicy Jelly Bacon Dog for anyone who’s had their fill of garbage plates over the years.

But who’s really tired of garbage plates? Certainly not us. For dessert, you can try the Rochester Garbage Apple from the NY Apple Factory. This homemade caramel apple is covered with leftover toppings from their other tasty apples, resulting in the same type of delicious hodgepodge that makes a garbage plate. With all of this tasty sugar, be sure to take care of your chompers and follow the recommended twice-a-day brushing. Otherwise, you might be cursing the festival for your resulting toothache and trip to your local dentist.

Dental issues aside, there’s even more food to enjoy at this year’s Lilac Festival. If you’re a part of the 90% of U.S. households that regularly indulge in a sweet, frozen treat and want to do the same at the festival, keep an eye out for a few key vendors and food trucks. Frozen Flavors will have a stand of their own and Kona Ice will be serving their colorful shaved ice this year.

The possibilities for fun are practically endless at the Lilac Festival. Whether you hop from one live performance to another or decide to sample every bit of food from the local vendors, you’re sure to make memories that will last a lifetime. Or at least until next year’s festival.

Tattoos are becoming more and more popular every year, with 47% of Millennials and 36% of Gen Xers saying they have at least one tattoo. In total, that turns out to be 45 million Americans with ink. This turns out If you have yet to get your first tattoo, your best chance might be quickly approaching, as local tattoo shop Love Hate Tattoo hosts the 11th annual Roc City Tattoo Expo. The expo features a variety of local and visiting tattoo artists, piercers, vendors, and more, and will take place between April 26th and 28th this year.

Eleven Years And Counting

Each year the popular expo has taken place, more and more visitors have stopped by to witness impressive body artists at work or get a piece done themselves. The expo has featured over 400 artists and gathered over 3,000 guests in previous years, and the number only continues to grow as the expo gains attention.

While conferences and expos are the most popular type of event to plan with 62.4% of organizers planning these types of events, tattoo expos like this one are less frequent. The organizer, Joseph DiProjetto of Love Hate Tattoo, has stated that he originally planned the expo eleven years ago as a way to gather some of his favorite artists. Now, the tattoo expo has grown to feature artists from as far away as Japan.

Tips For Attending

If you plan on attending the expo and getting a tattoo, it’s best to show up with a plan in mind. Many artists will have flash sheets available for quick tattoos at reasonable prices and will be accepting walk-up appointments. However, for those looking for a custom tattoo, a larger piece, or a more complex design, consider reaching out to your preferred artist in advance for an appointment. With how busy the expo is likely to be this year, this will give you a better chance at securing an appointment.

The event website features a growing list of artists who will be featured at the expo, giving you the opportunity to research their styles in advance. If you’re looking for a newer style, like the currently trending embroidery style of tattoo, be sure to ask your preferred artist in advance if they’re able to work in this style. Not every artist will be willing to try a new style in the expo setting, but it’s worth asking to get your preferred result.

More information about the Roc City Tattoo Expo can be found either on the event website or by contacting the Holiday Inn at 70 State St. Admission is $10 per day or $25 for the full weekend, and parking will be available.

Don’t Call it a Loop

The City announced the Inner Loop RFP winners. The three proposals that won aren’t bad. No Great Wolf Lodge, at least. One of the sites is being held for a future RFP. Best of luck to all the winning proposals.

I don’t know of anyone in the world who loves parking—except maybe Lorraine Baines—but that’s not exactly the kind of parking I’m talking about here…

I’m talking about the hassle of cruising up and down the rows of a Wegmans parking lot, trying to squeeze in next to the hummer who decided he needed an extra couple of spaces, fighting the nine other drivers who won’t even entertain the thought of walking an extra twenty feet to pay $5 for a bottle of water.

Brew Harder!

Cuomo was in town to announce a sizable expansion of the Genesee Brewery. More details here. This is exciting for Genny and the region in general. One other small plug for a local firm – the design is being done by Pardi.

The Rochester Subway stopped passenger service on June 30, 1956. To mark the 60th anniversary of the subway’s closing the New York Museum of Transportation will host a two-day weekend event filled with talks, trolley rides, demonstrations of the Subway’s fully restored “Casey Jones” speeder, food, and vendors…

This fully restored vintage Greyhound bus appeared in the movie Race, the recent film about Jesse Owens’ fight to compete in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games where he won four gold medals. The bus will be open for visitors and tales from the restoration and filming of the bus will be told next Sunday at The New York Museum of Transportation…

Rochester Makerspace is hosting a Sunday Artists and Makers Expo on May 22 from 2 PM to 5 PM. Bring your friends or family and enjoy live music, plenty of refreshments, and an eclectic collection of artwork, crafts, and maker projects on display…

When the world’s first elevated highway was completed in 1936 along Manhattan’s west side, the New York Times marveled that “the gleaming new concrete ribbon” would let drivers travel from lower Manhattan “nearly to Poughkeepsie without having to stop for a traffic light or slow up for an intersection.” Legendary city planner and master highway builder, Robert Moses promised the new highway would “eliminate” traffic jams on the city’s west side…

After the Erie Canal was rerouted south of downtown Rochester, the Rochester
Industrial & Rapid Transit Railway (the subway) was built in
its place as a link between the five different railroads and interurban trolley
lines that served the Rochester area. As the industrial landscape of Rochester
changed, and highways replaced the railroads, the Rochester subway gradually
became a relic of a bygone era. In 1956 the subway was abandoned and much of
its route was converted into Interstate 490  built to connect Rochester
with the New York State Thruway (I-90).Read more about the history of the Rochester Subway.

RochesterSubway.com exists to help spark
public dialogue around how we can better connect the neighborhoods of Rochester
NY, surrounding communities, and their cultural offerings. Rochesters
future is written in her past. Let's rediscover it.